Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-11-25
THANKsa1v1Na smRv1ors.

A union service was held at the Congre-
gational church at If A. ~, Rev. Mr.
Smithers Of the NJ. E. church preaching the
sermon. Mr.. Smithers took his text from
LIST Thess., v;i9i "In everything give
thanks" It is fitting that we meet and
give public expression Of our gratitude 10
Almighty God. To be sufficient for this
service one must think. Thinking, and so
being led 10 thankfulness, is the proper or
der Of mental activity resolution 10 be
grateful will not always secure such a re-
suit. The feelings may refuse obedience
TO the call Of the will. The hour appointed
for thanksgiving may be the time when it
is most difficult TO see the sunny side Of life.
The obligation TO thankfuiness need not be
urged. Doubtless all--after the manner of
the Governor-have thought Of some things
worthy Of special remembrance The text
has wider application than the proclama-
ton. "All things work together for good
to them that love God, =" and for every thing
that is for our good we should be thankful
Our standard and the Lords do not always
agree. Often We have greater reason 10
be thankful for what was unpleasant to us
than for the things we enjoyed. Every
thing" does not include the works of the
devil nor our own follies az sinners.
/. Why should we acknowledge Gods
mercies ~ Because at is good thing
to give thanks" This biblical assertion an
swers TO human experience. A thankful
spirit is like the west wind scattering the
clouds after n storm. II is a soul tonic. (2)
Because all our mercies come so directly
from God that without Him we could not
enjoy them. O) For our country its
natural advantages of climate, Of soil, Of
mineral wealth, for commerce its loca-
ton, separated from the rest Of the world
its government based on the highest prin-
ciples its civilization, though a mingling
Of many, an original not a chrome its
history, brief but eventful its founders,
not all ideal men, yet men Of character
its victory over tyranny and the wiping
out Of slavery its men of renown, who
loved country more than self its future, a
land OF hope, not Of recollections its glo-
ry, not in its soil and wealth, but its peo-
pie. (2) For temporal blessings-bountiful
harvests, general prosperity, freedom from
great calamities, and peace within all our
borders (3J For the growth of modern
industries inventions annihilating dis
lance and bridging oceans, opening chan
nels for commerce and the spread Of the
gospel az For a higher religious and
moral standard. Study the history of
Rome, Spain, the Low Lands aud France
There is much Of evil still, but a constant
upward tendency. (5) For our homes
Greece gave the world the idea Of culture
and art Rome Of law and force the Ger
mans Of family life and home. The strength
Of a nation is in the perfection Of its fam
lies
II. How shall we acknowledge Gods
gifts to usi ~ By our gratitude. The
human heart does not always thus respond
to kindness. We too often receive Gods
gifts as a matter Of course We will show
our gratitude by our use Of these gifts. (2)
BY our thankoferings. We give of our
first fruits, not our last fruits Give by
putting within the power Of some poor fam
lily to enjoy q good Thanksgiving dinner
90 By rejoicing in them Thou shalt re-
ioice in every good thing which the Lord
thy God hath given thee" Take time to
see how bright your mercies are in the
smile of God
The services at the Universalist church
last Sunday were in anticipation Of Thanks
giving day, and that fact determined their
character In addition TO special musical
features, the sermon was on the theme
What we have to he thankful for" Mr.
lllman's text was Matt v, A. He maketh
this sun 10 rise upon the evil and the good.
and sendeth rain upon the just aud unjust
The aim Of the discourse was 10 show that
the occasions Of thankfuluess were 10 be
sought in the common rather than the spe-
cial exceptional blessings Of life. BY imAg
ming their contrasts, we can see how great
are the blessings Of general health, Of civil
liberty, of liberty of thought and Of speech,
and others that through familiarity we
overlook. And spiritually God grants us
courage, hope, strength, peace, faith These
too are common, but like the sunshine and
rain, they tell us Of the all embracing good
ness Of the eternal Father